Carbon-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a LED is provided. The LED includes a substrate; an insulator layer on the substrate; a first bottom gate and a second bottom gate embedded in the insulator layer; a gate dielectric on the first bottom gate and the second bottom gate; a carbon material on the gate dielectric over the first bottom gate and the second bottom gate, wherein the carbon material serves as a channel region of the LED; and metal source and drain contacts to the carbon material.